PSAL PLAYOFFS: Kennedy 61 – Wadleigh 58
Jarell Collier has heard people tell him all year that the only reason Kennedy is any good this year is because of Dwight Hardy. He took that criticism to heart.
“We’re not a one-man team,” the senior said. “We have Dwight Hardy, but there are more pieces to the puzzle than just him.”
And even though the prolific Hardy led the Knights again in their 61-58 win over No. 10 Wadleigh in the second round of the PSAL playoffs at Hunter College last night, it was his supporting cast that played a key role in their comeback victory. JFK next meets Lincoln in the quarterfinals on Sunday at St. Francis College after the second-seeded Railsplitters pulled away from Curtis 81-67 in the other second round game.
“We can’t just leave it up to Dwight,” said Rhamel Williams, who scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter after Kennedy trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half. “Somebody has to help him.”
Down the stretch against Wadleigh, it was Williams hitting four free throws – in addition to Hardy knocking down some clutch shots – that made the difference. Collier gave the Knights their first lead by knocking down a 3-pointer with 2:07 to go to put JFK up 57-55.
“The main focus is always on me, so I need my teammates,” said Hardy.
That’s the message head coach Johnny Mathis has been preaching to the Knights throughout this season in which they are defending their PSAL title.
“All year I’ve told them that,” Mathis said. “Dwight has the experience, but it’s not all on him.”
When Wadleigh jumped out to its early lead, it seemed as if it would be, but Mike Crump’s day soon took a turn for the worse.
The Wadleigh head coach started yesterday morning by nailing a half-court shot in the Harlem school’s gym and then won $500 in the lottery later that afternoon.
He also seemed well on his way to the quarterfinals until midway through the third quarter, when Hardy’s teammates started playing better.
“It’s definitely much sweeter knowing that we all can contribute,” said Collier, who wasn’t on the team last year. “I went to every game last year and regretted not playing. Now I want us to win again.”
Lincoln coach Dwayne Morton didn’t start Kevin Menner, Nick Leon or Khalif Staten because they missed practice. The slow start helped No. 16 Curtis give second-seeded Lincoln a difficult time. But Lance Stephenson’s 14 points and Menner’s 13 offset Timmy Rupp’s 18 as Lincoln advanced.
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Tryouts for the 37th annual Sports Foundation City Game will be held tomorrow at John Jay College. The game is open to seniors in New York City high schools who are qualified to play in college next year and are still in need of a scholarship.
